UK Government has launched the first-ever forum to address gaps in treatment and care for people affected by neurological conditions

On Thursday 28 November 2024 Andrew Gwynne MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department of Health and Social Care, has announced a new UK-wide forum will be set up to find ways to improve care and support for people affected by neurological conditions.

The announcement follows a long-standing campaign led by The Neurological Alliance together with The Neurological Alliance of Scotland, Wales Neurological Alliance and the Northern Ireland Neurological Charities Alliance and supported by over 100 organisations and more than 19,000 people. 

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The “Back The 1 in 6” campaign called on UK Governments to establish a Neuro Taskforce to address key challenges facing people affected by neurological conditions including delays to treatment and care, a lack of mental health and wellbeing support and insufficient information at the point of diagnosis. The campaign was underpinned by the experiences of over 8,500 people who responded to My Neuro Survey, the largest neurological patient experience survey

in the UK.

The forum will unite clinical leaders, organisations, and people with lived experience of neurological conditions to tackle shared challenges. Shaped by those it serves, the forum will aim to drive real progress in areas where UK-wide collaboration is most impactful. It will aim to address unwarranted variation in access to care across the country, and drive person-centred care.

 

The Neuro Forum will hold formal, biannual meetings across the Department for Health and Social Care, NHS England, devolved governments and Neurological Alliances of all four UK nations. This is the first UK-wide government forum focusing on services and support for

people affected by neurological conditions. Work is underway to deliver the first forum meeting in early 2025 with a further meeting in the summer and ongoing bi-annual meetings in the years ahead.